2021 EDIT:
I don't care for this anymore. I haven't cared, really, for a very long time. In fact I never cared for anything Middle-earth, as blasphemous as that sounds coming from a fantasy fan. I still highly respect it, and appreciate it for its gargantuan impact and influence on the fantasy genre - and on literature as a whole. It's a classic. But is it to be enjoyed in this day and age? In my opinion, not so much.
Read this Goodreads review here for more information, on why I ultimately decided to change my rating.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
A joyful and very well-written children's fantasy adventure. J.R.R Tolkien's creation and its consistent world building is astounding. It's hard to believe he actually started Middle Earth out as a setting for his children's bedtime fables. No doubt the Oxford professor could write worlds on such a huge scale, but at the same time not forgetting the most important aspects in telling a story - the story itself and the characters.
Now I confess that despite being a lover of fantasy, I'm not a big fan of 'The Lord of the Rings'. I don't think it's bad or anything, it's just too much of a spectacle for me, with not enough distinguishable characters. The vast world and history of Middle Earth is overwhelming. Also I'm a fantasy fan who prefers stories a bit closer to home.
But I found I still enjoyed 'The Hobbit', because despite being grounded to consistent rules it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's just so much fun. Some lines in the book did make me laugh out loud.
Each character is surprisingly distinguishable - there are so many dwarves on the quest! With poor Bilbo Baggins being dragged into it by his wizard friend Gandalf for no explained reason. As is the way with children's stories, you may have to come up with your own theories for these fun leaps in logic. Mine is that Gandalf wanted to get Bilbo out of his comfort zone in his little Hobbit hole and experience adventures outside the Shire. Never mind handkerchiefs and buttons! The hobbit himself develops throughout his story and becomes braver, smarter and more resourceful. He does his hobbit legacy proud, and his species' natural skills are not wasted.
The journey has many memorable events and creatures, each as dangerous as the last. Stakes are high, and life is made very difficult. All for taking back gold from a villainous dragon - this isn't a saving-the-world-type quest Bilbo finds himself in, it's to get back a dwarf's gold and restore a kingdom after so long. All the more entertaining and wacky right?
Now, the reasons why 'The Hobbit' misses one star? I thought it did drag somewhat towards the end, when the quest should be complete but other things need to be sorted out, which involve locals and with locals come more characters to remember. This was when I got exhausted by the writing that is rich in detail.
Also there isn't a single female character in this book. Yep, not even a chambermaid or wife or mother of any of the characters is mentioned (except for Bilbo's mother, but very briefly and only in the beginning of the book). Later 'The Lord of the Rings' will show us that the species of Middle Earth don't reproduce asexually, but where were all the women at the beginning?
But despite all that, 'The Hobbit' is a classic fantasy enjoyable for both children and adults. You feel you are on the hard journey with Bilbo across Middle Earth.
In a lot of ways 'The Hobbit' paved way for the conventions and tropes we see in the fantasy genre today. J.R.R Tolkien is considered the father of modern fantasy (or high fantasy) by some, and this brilliantly written and funny tale tells of how he got started in earning that title.
Final Score: 4/5
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